Search For Missing 'U' Student Continues In Mississippi River
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- The search for a missing University of Minnesota student is underway for a second day on the Mississippi River.
Authorities are looking for 22-year-old Chris Stanley.
"He loves the river," Chris's mother Melissa Melnick said. "He and his friends would come down here a lot."
He was last seen at Water Power Park, where his roommate claims the two jumped over a fence to sit closer to the river, before being swept away by a large wave. Stanley hasn't been seen since.
Melnick was out bright and early Thursday morning, obviously heartbroken, but trying to hold out hope that she will find her son safe.
"They don't know that he went in," she said. "Maybe he's on the coast, the shore, somewhere."
She was joined by friends, who helped in the search and offered their support.
Boats and sonars from the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office were out on the water, looking for any signs or clues.
It has been almost 48 hours since Stanley disappeared.
"The river is pretty rough, but he's a good swimmer," Melnick said.
Family friends say authorities planned to bring friends and family members to the exact spot where Stanley was last seen, near the river so they can look for more answers.
"Chris is a really well-liked kid, so we've had lots of support, lots of love," Melnick said.
Stanley is a senior and neurology major at the University of Minnesota and is set to graduate in just a week and a half.